Excommunicated priest Father Michael Rainer (Christopher Lee) heads a satanic cult called “The Children of the Lord” which hides its dark purpose of rearing innocent children in the ways of Satan behind a closed Catholic convent.
One of his charges, young nun Catherine Beddows (Nastassja Kinski) has a special destiny to fill. She was promised to the devil before her birth and chosen to resurrect a demon named Astaroth when she comes of age.
As Catherine’s 18th birthday approaches, her father, Henry (Denholm Elliott) contacts American occult expert and novelist John Verney (Richard Widmark) and asks for his help.
This was Hammer’s final horror film. It’s messy at times and downright offensive at others but there’s no denying it’s one of Hammer’s better films post-1970
Although some call it Hammer’s final production, they did release The Lady Vanishes (1979) three years later and then ceased production. Hammer would be resurrected and resume production in 2008.
John Verney
Richard Widmark
Father Michael Raynor
Christopher Lee
Anna Fountain
Honor Blackman
Henry Beddows
Denholm Elliott
George de Grass
Michael Goodliffe
Catherine Beddows
Nastassja Kinski
Eveline de Grass
Eva Maria Meineke
David Kennedy
Anthony Valentine
Bishop
Derek Francis
Margaret
Izabella Telezynska
Kollde
Constantine Gregory
Isabel
Anna Bentinck
Sister Helle
Petra Peters
German Matron
Irene Prador
Director
Peter Sykes
